No more avoiding it: Drew Stanton must be promoted to second-string quarterback

It's no surprise that many are calling for Drew Stanton to start at quarterback for the Detroit Lions in the event rookie Matthew Stafford can't go against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

Daunte Culpepper's performance against the Baltimore Ravens left quite a bit to be desired.

His decision-making wasn't that bad, but when he had time to set up and throw the ball down field, the veteran quarterback's passes came up painfully short. He certainly has lost some mobility, even since the beginning of the season.

So now the chants come for Stanton, the former Michigan State Spartans standout, now in his third year with the Lions.

Assuming Stafford can't play, why wouldn't Detroit coaches see what Stanton can do in a live regular-season game?

The Detroit News' Mike O'Hara brings up a good point about the issue.

The Detroit News, Dec. 14:10. QB deal: The Lions made what amounted to a minor deal at the end of the exhibition season, trading quarterback Kevin O'Connell to the Jets for an undisclosed draft pick. The Lions had claimed O'Connell on waivers from the Patriots a few days earlier.

O'Connell was the Patriots' third-round draft pick in 2008.

It seems like a no-lose deal for the Lions -- or is it? If the Lions think so little of Drew Stanton that they won't give him playing time in the fourth quarter of a 48-3 loss, they should have kept O'Connell for a full evaluation as a potential backup.

And that's really the point: Either the coaches respect Stanton as being a legitimate option at quarterback or they don't. If he is a legitimate option, it's time to give him an opportunity.

There's no point in claiming Stanton's lack of playing time proves what a terrible quarterback he is. If so, then why is he even on the roster? If you don't think he can give you even the slightest chance to win a game in this league, get him off the roster. Yesterday.

I'm not sold that the staff believes that, though. So if Stafford is out of commission again, do the right thing and start Stanton. In fact, it would probably be smartest to promote him to first backup in case Stafford comes back and gets re-injured.

By starting Stanton, you not only get a further understanding of him by seeing him play against first-team NFL competition, but – as was proven Sunday – he gives you no worse a chance to win than Culpepper.